SEASON: The legal revisions made in 2012 significantly changed the management of nearly all aspects of the trophy hunting system in Mongolia. With the new revisions, hunting season for ibex was shifted to a time frame between July 15 – October 15. The revised system allows only 3 months of hunting which does not include the rutting period in Deccember.
AREA: The hunting area is located in the south central portion of Mongolia, a province named Omnogovi that is one of the 21 aimags (provinces) that forms the country. The province is rich in mineral deposits, including gold and copper. That is why mining is an important factor that causes habitat loss for both argali and ibex that inhabit the area. Steppe-covered valleys with rocky outcrops and the spectacular mountains of the Gobi desert form these elusive animals’ living ground.
HOW TO GET THERE: Hunters are required to fly into Ulaanbaatar, UB. They will be met by our representative at the airport and be asssited for the rifle clearance at the customs. This is a 10-15 minute procedure in general. Later on hunters take a domestic flight to Dalanzadgad, the capitol of the province. Hunting areas are located some 150 kilometers west of the city and can be reached from the city airport within a 4-5 hour ride on highway and dirt roads. Dalanzadgad is situated south of UB and is 10 hour drive away from the UB airport.
ACCOMMODATION: Circular felt tents with a wooden frame which are called “yurts” or “ger” are utilised to accommodate hunters. These well insulated tents are the traditional home for the Mongolian nomads and even in extereme weather they prove to be very comfortable and serviable.
Most yurts are furnished with a wood-burning iron stove in the middle and a comfortable bed. Yurts are ideally suited to Mongolian steppe biomme. The circular shape of yurts makes them able to resist winds from any direction and also allows them to be easily and efficiently heated and cooled. Ibex hunting camps are typically consist of a number of these dome-shaped traditional gers.
Almost all hunting camps across Mongolia are equipped with a small generator and electricy is produced by these devices. The power supply and the types of power outlets may differ between countries as there is no international standard. The power supply in Mongolia is 220 volt. There is always a Professional cook in the camp and in some cases they prove to be very good.
WEATHER: Omnogovi region has a semi-arid climate with warm summers and severely cold winters. July is the hottest month of the year in this geography. The avergae day temperature is 61F (16C). Overall temperature in August is warm enough, not so much different than July although later part of the month sees cooler temperatures. By mid September the weather in the area starts to cool. Days can be sunny but the mountains start getting pretty chilly especially at night. The mean day time temperature in September is 46F (8C).
ALTITUDE: The whole region lies at an average elevation of 6,011 feet (1832 meters) above sea level and the hunting is done anywhere between 5000-6500 feet (1500-2000 meters).
DURATION of the HUNT: Our Gobi ibex hunting organisations are for 4 days including the 2 days of traveling time. So actual hunting time is 2 days which is enough time to harvest a nice billy.
HUNTING METHOD: Hunting method is usually a combination of driving around in four wheel drive trucks and/or hunting on foot once a desired size trophy billy is located.
